Falling for the Wrong Brother Read online

  Minutes from marrying...the wrong groom!

  Book one of the Maggie & Griffin trilogy

  Runaway bride Mayor Maggie Spencer doesn’t anticipate the fallout from fleeing her wedding. But both the town’s rival families are in turmoil, and her reputation is in question. And riding to her rescue is her ex’s brother! Once, bad boy Griffin Stone ran from challenges, but now, though the timing and the town are against them, he’ll have to fight—for Maggie and their forbidden love.

  Her body hummed liked a high-voltage power line.

  It happened every time Griffin appeared.

  “Do things ever change around here?” he asked, sitting next to her. “The town’s the same as it was when we were kids.”

  Maggie smiled. That was one of the things she loved about Stonecreek.

  “No wonder people are obsessed with your nonwedding,” Griffin said. “Nothing else happens.”

  How she wished that were the real reason.

  She turned to him. “So what brings you to town?”

  “You. I wanted to see you.” As she felt her body heat, he took her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

  She looked around, worried that she’d be shirking her duty as mayor. Worried that someone would see them hand in hand.

  Then she stopped herself. That was how she’d lived her life the last two years. Honestly, she couldn’t remember a time before responsibility was her norm.

  Glancing at her hand joined with Griffin’s, then at the man himself, she realized she wanted something different than the norm. She wanted excitement, adventure. And, though she knew it was wrong, she wanted Griffin Stone.

  * * *

  Part one of Maggie and Griffin’s

  three-book love story!

  Dear Reader,

  I’m thrilled to introduce you to this new series that follows Maggie Spencer and Griffin Stone on their journey to happily-ever-after.

  Maggie Spencer loves everything about her town of Stonecreek, Oregon, and takes her role as mayor and her dedication to the community very seriously. But when she discovers her fiancé’s cheating minutes before her wedding, she finally does something no one expects and walks away.

  Griffin Stone certainly doesn’t expect to find his brother’s bride rushing from the church. Griffin’s past with Stonecreek is complicated, and he’s only back in town to help his mom and make amends for his past mistakes. Although Maggie and Griffin find a connection and attraction that shocks them both, their doubts and fears make it difficult for them to find the courage to take a chance on love.

  This series is especially exciting for me because Maggie and Griffin’s love story spans three books so I get the chance to delve deeper into their relationship, their families and the close-knit community of Stonecreek.

  I hope you love this story and join me for the next two books in the series, Second Chance in Stonecreek and A Stonecreek Christmas Reunion.

  I’d love to hear from you at www.michellemajor.com, or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.

  Happy reading,

  Michelle

  Falling for the Wrong Brother

  Michelle Major

  Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at michellemajor.com.

  Books by Michelle Major

  Harlequin Special Edition

  Crimson, Colorado

  Coming Home to Crimson

  Sleigh Bells in Crimson

  Romancing the Wallflower

  Christmas on Crimson Mountain

  Always the Best Man

  A Baby and a Betrothal

  The Fortunes of Texas: The Rulebreakers

  Her Soldier of Fortune

  The Fortunes of Texas: The Secret Fortunes

  A Fortune in Waiting

  Harlequin Serials

  Secrets of the A-List

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  To Amy: thanks for being a fantastic friend

  and co-mom. I couldn’t do it without you! XO

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Excerpt from Special Forces Father by Victoria Pade

  Excerpt from The Texas Cowboy’s Quadruplets by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  Chapter One

  Why did wedding dresses have to be so white?

  The question flitted through Maggie Spencer’s mind as she hurried down the tree-lined street in Stonecreek, Oregon, the town that had been her family’s home and passion for over a hundred years. Away from the First Congregational Church, away from her family and friends and from her remorseful, apologetic and cheating fiancé.

  Oh, yes. Far away from Trevor Stone.

  Hurried might not be the right word. It was difficult to hurry wearing five pounds of satin and lace plus high heels that pinched her feet to the point that she was ready to lop off a baby toe just to ease the pain.

  She refused to take off the shoes because the physical discomfort distracted her from the ache in her chest. Tears threatened each time she thought of the repercussions of running away from her wedding five minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to begin.

  The clock in the tower overlooking the town square a few blocks away began to chime, echoing the rhythmic lurch in her stomach. The wedding was starting.

  Without her.

  She gathered bunches of fabric in her hands and draped the dress’s train over one arm. Grammy had insisted on a dress with a train, mainly so Maggie’s younger sister would have a reason to hold it, putting Morgan on display for the good people of Stonecreek.

  “It worked for Pippa,” Grammy had commented drily. “Morgan’s backside is just as worthy of going viral if you ask me.”

  Although no one needed to ask Grammy’s opinion because she was happy to offer it unsolicited.

  A car drove past, honked once. It wasn’t every day that a bride took a stroll in her wedding gown. Sweat trickled between Maggie’s shoulder blades, despite the June breeze fluttering the blooms on the oak trees that canopied the street. Not a cloud marred the robin’s-egg-blue sky, a stroke of good luck for the marriage, according to Maggie’s grandmother.

  So much for positive omens.

  Maggie kept her gaze forward, sending out a silent prayer the honking driver was no one she knew. Then again, most everyone Maggie knew was waiting in the church. Close to three hundred people crammed into the pews to witness the two most powerful families in Stonecreek finally united by marriage.

  Or not.

  She picked up the pace, wincing as her heel caught on a crack in the pavemen
t and her ankle rolled. She’d just righted herself when a hulking SUV pulled up next to her.

  “I’m fine,” she called, holding up a hand and keeping her eyes trained forward as she lifted her dress higher off the ground.

  “You’re going the wrong way, Maggie May,” a voice said, the tone a deep timbre that sent shivers along her bare arms.

  The fabric dropped from her hands as that voice ricocheted through her. The tip of one heel tangled in her wedding dress, and she tripped and fell hard to the pavement. She managed to get herself to all fours, tears pricking the backs of her eyes, as much from embarrassment as the sting to her palms and knees.

  She focused on drawing in a few deep breaths, but the air escaped her lungs when a pair of scuffed cowboy boots moved into her line of sight.

  “Need a hand?”

  “I’m fine,” she repeated, giving a little shake of her head. A thousand rattlesnakes could have her surrounded and she still wouldn’t accept help from Griffin Stone.

  Faking composure, Maggie started to stand, then yelped when her right ankle screamed in protest.

  “You’re hurt.” Griffin wrapped his hands around her arms and lifted her to her feet like she weighed nothing.

  Glancing up through her lashes, she saw that a decade away from Stonecreek had honed him into every inch an alpha male, rugged and broad-shouldered. His dark blond hair was longer, curling at the ends as it skimmed the collar of the crisp white dress shirt he wore under a suit jacket. She knew he was well over six feet—even in her heels he towered over her. A few years older than she was, he’d been the cutest boy in high school—and the wildest by far—but now his looks were downright lethal.

  “I twisted my ankle,” she confirmed, shrugging out of his grasp and trying not to put weight on her right leg. “Stupid shoes. I still don’t need your help.” She glared at him. “What are you doing here anyway? Trevor said you weren’t coming back for the wedding, and you never RSVP’d.”

  He inclined his head and she felt more than saw his smile, a slight softening around the corners of his stormy green eyes. “Last-minute change of plans.”

  “You’re late,” she muttered, sweat beading on her forehead as the pain in her ankle began to radiate up her leg. She needed to get away from Griffin and take off the stupid heels her bridesmaids had convinced her to buy.

  “Apparently, I’m not the only one.” He took a step forward, then reached around her to open the passenger-side door on his vintage Land Cruiser. “You don’t have to like me, Maggie, but get in the car before you pass out from the pain of whatever you did to your ankle.”

  She bit down on her lip to keep the tears at bay. Of all the people to see her in this state, why did it have to be Griffin? He’d been the star of every one of her foolish teenage fantasies. She hadn’t even cared that bad-boy Griffin Stone barely acknowledged her existence, even though she and Trevor had been friends since she’d thrown up on him their first day of kindergarten.

  Griffin was three years older and a world apart from Maggie. He’d made it clear in the sneering, searing way he had that he thought her nothing more than a silly, spoiled princess. Now she was a pathetic mess.

  It grated on her nerves to have Griffin bear witness to the most humiliating moment of her life. Chances were good he’d eventually congratulate his younger brother for escaping a lifetime shackled to the darling of the Spencer family. That thought was equally irritating since her only sin had been trusting the wrong man.

  She gingerly put her right foot on the ground, hoping the pain might have miraculously disappeared. Instead, a sharp stab of pain caused her to whimper, and she turned without a word and hobbled the few steps to the Land Cruiser.

  To his credit, Griffin didn’t say anything or try to help her. It was like he could sense that her composure was as thin as an eggshell and might splinter into a thousand pieces if he got too close. She hated feeling fragile, hated being hurt, hated Trevor and his litany of excuses.

  Griffin shut the door when she finally managed to get herself up into the SUV and gather the dusty fabric of her wedding gown’s train into the vehicle.

  He’d left the Land Cruiser running, and Maggie was profoundly grateful for the cool air blowing from the vents. The strap of the heel cut into her flesh, but she didn’t pull off the shoe. There was a decent chance she’d scream or throw up if she did, and neither was going to happen in front of Griffin.

  “I’m guessing we aren’t headed back to the church,” he said as he pulled away from the curb.

  “I bought Grammy’s house a few years ago. She lived—”

  “I know where your grandmother lived.” Griffin’s knuckles turned white gripping the steering wheel. “I grew up here.”

  She had the odd sense she’d hurt his feelings, although that would be far-fetched on a good day. Griffin had always made his derision for Stonecreek crystal clear, and he’d left them all behind the first chance he got. Still, she couldn’t help being a champion for the town. It was in her blood. “The neighborhood has a lot of young families now. It’s nice.”

  Griffin’s response was a noncommittal grunt, and Maggie let out a sigh. She shouldn’t be trying for small talk, not under the best of circumstances, and let alone when she was running away from her wedding to his younger brother.

  Trevor had promised he’d stall as long as possible, so Maggie figured she had about thirty minutes until her family descended on the two-story Cape Cod–style house she’d purchased from her grandmother three years ago.

  Grammy wasn’t going to take the news well, no matter how justified Maggie was in walking away.

  Another complication, because Maggie couldn’t tell her grandmother the truth. She’d promised Trevor—

  “What did he do?” Griffin asked suddenly, like he could read her mind.

  “It wasn’t Trevor.” The words were sawdust in Maggie’s throat. “He’ll always be a friend, but we were never suited for marriage.” She gave what she hoped was a bittersweet smile. “I’m just sorry it took me so long to realize it.”

  That was good. She sounded regretful but not angry. Surely, people would accept her explanation. Everyone knew Maggie Spencer wouldn’t lie.

  “Is he gay?” Griffin asked conversationally.

  Maggie’s eyes widened. “No. We had a healthy... I mean, we’re both busy so it wasn’t exactly... Just no.”

  “Another woman? A gambling addiction? Internet porn?”

  “Why can’t you believe I made the choice to walk away?”

  “Because you always do what’s expected, and a union between the Spencers and the Stones is something people around here have wanted for ages.” He pulled up in front of her house and threw the Land Cruiser into Park. “You don’t have the guts to defy them.”

  Too stunned to move as Griffin got out of the SUV, Maggie watched him walk around the front toward her side. It was like he’d clocked her with a sledgehammer. A man she hadn’t seen for almost a decade—a man who’d never said a nice thing to her in all the years they’d known each other—had just summed up her life in one sentence, and it didn’t reflect well on her.

  Especially because it was true.

  “You don’t know me,” she said through clenched teeth as he opened the door. She went to push past him, a challenge with her ankle, but it didn’t matter. Griffin scooped her into his arms, ignoring her protests, and stalked toward the front door.

  “Is it locked?”

  “No,” she muttered, “and put me down.”

  “Once we’re inside.”

  He shifted his hold to reach for the doorknob, pulling her more tightly against his chest. She couldn’t help but breathe in the scent of him, tempting and dark like every rebellious thought she’d ever had but never acted on.

  His heat enveloped her and she fisted her hands in the lapels of his navy suit jacket. She had the unbidden urg
e to press her mouth to the suntanned skin of his throat and forced her gaze to remain fixed on his striped tie.

  The house was quiet, and he set her gently on the sofa, then knelt down in front of her.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Checking your ankle.” He pushed up the fabric of her gown, revealing her open-toe sandals with the delicate pearl detail across the straps. The shoes were elegant and glamorous and she needed them off her feet about as much as she needed to breathe.

  Yet Griffin touching her was too much when she was in pain and emotionally vulnerable.

  “I can handle it.”

  “Let me look.” He undid the ankle strap, and she was amazed at how gentle his calloused hands were as they gripped her leg. “I was a combat medic during my time in the army.”

  The pain had lessened slightly, or maybe she’d become numb to it. “You wore your dress blues to your dad’s funeral.” It was the last time Griffin had been home to Stonecreek, although she doubted he considered the town his home any longer.

  His broad shoulders stiffened, but he nodded.

  “Are you out of the army now?”

  Another slight nod.

  She winced as he manipulated her ankle, rotating it gently to one side then the other. “Why did you leave?”

  He glanced up at her, his gaze both guarded and intense. “Why didn’t you marry my brother?”

  “I already tol—”

  “Trevor did something, Maggie.” He lowered her foot to the floor and sat back as he studied her. “Tell me what it was.”

  “So you can rush off and slay my dragons?” she asked with a laugh, flipping her gown down over her knees. “Playing the part of hero doesn’t suit you, Griffin.”

  Something flashed in his gaze, but it was gone before she could name it. “An understatement, especially coming from you.” He stood and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “Your ankle should be fine when the swelling goes down, but you might want to rethink your heel height in the future.”

  She bent forward and undid the strap on her other shoe. “It was my wedding day. The shoes were special.”